We Know More Than God?

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15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” 4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 NIV)

I was the smartest person in the world. There, I said it. I knew more than anyone. Of course I was going through my teenaged years and that was the common litmus test. I even better than my Dad! I didn't need a curfew and many times I thought I did not need permission for anything! I was my own man; though legally I was not of age. What a painful memory now. How I miss my Dad and having my regular talks with him. But at the time I remember disagreeing strongly with him about things that I know now he was right. I was wrong.

Today's passage is all about that. God is Creator. God is Father. We are not. We are introduced to how things came to be according to this story. These things are important to know and to follow. The first part, from chapter two, God is shown as taking the first man, Adam was his name, and placing him in a garden. It is a paradise setting. What I came to realize in my later years is that paradise was not so much the foliage or setting, as it is the RELATIONSHIP. God created the man and placed in where He needed to be and began a RELATIONSHIP with the man. The basis of that relationship was love. And a foundational tenet of love is trust. In all relationships there are guidelines and expectations. The first thing God expects from this relationship is that the man will "work and take care of it." Stewardship is introduced. The man would be the one responsbile for the upkeep and care of the garden.

The second is also important, and here we see that God tells the man that he is free to eat from any tree in the garden. It is a positive command; it begins with permission from God to eat from ANY TREE. Except one. There was a certain tree which was off-limits. Its name gives it away; THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL. Bam! If you eat from this tree, you will have the ability to know the difference between the good and evil. God does not have to say that, but what God does say impliles the seriousness of this act. God says, "For when you eat from it you will certainly die." I've always found it interesting that the man would know what "die" means; there is no record of such a conversation with God and the man in the previous pages. To die is meant, again, to stress the seriousness of the consequences of doing what you should not be doing.

As the chapter ends and the new one begins, we see the presence of a second creature, the woman, whom we know later as Eve. This chapter begins with a talking snake. We also konw it was a walking snake, but we find that out later. I laugh everytime I read this passage because in my household growing up when age was referenced to an old person, it was said, "But she's from the era when snakes walked upright!" This snake was also "more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made." And we see how crafty when we hear its first question: "Did God really say, 'You mjst not eat from any tree in the garden'?" See? God didn't say that. God had given the man the freedom to eat from any tree in the garden. The woman replies with the right answer but adds that the restriction was on one tree, with an added but revealing condition, "And you must not touch it, or you will die." Where did God add the no-touch restriction? He didn't. But it says a lot. Adam and Eve had explored the garden and like little children, gone directly to where they shouldn't; the tree. And it could have been that one of the two of them may have stretched out their hand and the other may have said, "Don't touch it!" But the serpent is aware of all that and so it goes right to the temptation. "You will not certainly die. God knows that when you eat from that tree your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

The serpent's strategy in Genesis 3 is worth studying carefully, because it hasn't changed in thousands of years. He didn't approach Eve with an outright lie at first. He began with a question designed to plant doubt: "Did God really say...?" Four words that have echoed through every human temptation since. He subtly twisted God's generous command—God had said they could eat from any tree except one—into something that sounded restrictive and suspicious. Before Eve took a single bite, the serpent had already gotten her to question God's character.

Then came the direct contradiction: "You will not certainly die." God's clear warning was reframed as fear-mongering, as if God were keeping something good from them rather than protecting them from something devastating. The fruit was recast not as forbidden danger but as desirable wisdom—something that would make them like God. The temptation wasn't merely about fruit. It was about autonomy. About being their own authority. About deciding for themselves what is good and what is evil.

And they ate.

Notice what followed immediately. Not the godlike wisdom they were promised, but shame. Their eyes were opened, yes—but what they saw was their own nakedness and vulnerability. The intimacy they once enjoyed without self-consciousness suddenly felt exposed and unsafe. So they covered themselves with fig leaves—history's first attempt to manage the consequences of sin through human effort. It didn't work then, and it doesn't work now. Sandpaper underwear is never comfortable.

This is the Lenten reality we must sit with. The fig leaves we sew today look different—busyness, achievement, perfectionism, people-pleasing, religious performance—but the impulse is identical. We sense our brokenness and reach for something to cover it rather than turning to the only One who can actually heal it.

Lent calls us to stop. To put down the fig leaves. To stand honestly before God in our need and remember why Jesus had to come. The garden of Eden was lost through one act of disobedience rooted in pride and distrust. The road back runs through a different garden—Gethsemane—where another man knelt in the dirt and said not "I will decide for myself," but "Not my will, but yours be done." C. S. Lewis wrote that hell was filled with those who said, "My will be done," while Heave is filled with those who prayed, "Thy will be done."

What Adam and Eve grasped for, Jesus willingly surrendered. Where they chose autonomy, He chose obedience. Where they hid, He was exposed on a cross—naked, shamed, bearing every consequence of that first bite and every sin that followed. The fig leaves were never enough. But His sacrifice is.

PRAYER: Loving Father, forgive us for the ways we have echoed Adam and Eve—doubting Your goodness, trusting our own judgment over Yours, and reaching for fig leaves to hide what only You can heal. This Lenten season, give us the courage to stop hiding and to stand before You honestly, trusting that the cross of Christ is sufficient to cover us completely. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, identify one "fig leaf" in your life — a habit, achievement, or distraction you use to avoid facing your need for God. Set it aside intentionally, even for a day, and bring that vulnerable place honestly before Him in prayer.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me! Share love and wisdom today!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Holy Hunger

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1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written, "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' " 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, "He will command his angels concerning you,' and "On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.' " 7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' " 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.' " 11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. (Matthew 4:1-11 NRSV)

Most of us have had jobs we did not like nor did we look forward to. Some of us maybe more than one. We more than likely had no choice; we needed the money and once we were told "You're hired," decided we'd best start. My least favorite job was a summer job in college, in Houston at a manufacturing plant where we made huge industrial fan covers out of fiberglass. And that was the cause of my not liking that job. The job paid well, but not enough to prepare me for the incredible itching all over my body that no shower could cure the entire time I worked there. I have conveniently forgotten how long I worked there and I believe it was not the entire summer as I had planned. I worked with a good boss and he warned me that working with fiberglass would be difficult, and it was. Tiny, airborne shards of microscopic glass would find their way through my shirts and pants. I wore protective gear to protect my breathing any of those shards in, but no such protection was offered for my skin. Needless to say I did not sleep that first night after spending all day allowing fiberglass to find its way into my shoulders, arms, and back. If you can imagine an army of microscopic soldiers wearing cleats of steel making its way around your shoulders, legs, arms and back. Yes, the back. You dare not lay on your back because it aggravates the army and its parade intensifies. Your mind screams all kinds of insults at you for having made such a bad decision for even considering this choice of employment. You wonder how the other guys at work, who have been there for years have coped with this? My hat's off to the men and women who may still work in fiberglass to this day.

The second temptation was about testing God: "Throw yourself down and force God to rescue you." It's the temptation to manufacture a crisis to prove God cares, to demand he show up on our terms. But Jesus understood that faith isn't forcing God's hand—it's trusting his heart.

The third temptation was about shortcuts to purpose: "Worship me, and I'll give you all the kingdoms without the cross." It's the offer of achieving God's purposes through ungodly means. The right destination through the wrong road. But Jesus knew that how we get somewhere matters as much as where we end up.

In each temptation, Jesus responded with Scripture. Not his own wisdom. Not clever arguments. Just "It is written." He fought spiritual battles with spiritual weapons—the Word of God he had hidden in his heart.

Here's what we need to understand today: You will face wilderness seasons. You will experience times when you're depleted, vulnerable, and the temptations feel overwhelming. Times when taking shortcuts seems wise. Times when immediate relief feels more important than long-term faithfulness.

But Jesus has been there first. He knows what it's like to be famished and tempted. And he shows us how to stand: with the Word of God, with trust in the Father's provision, with commitment to the right path even when the wrong path looks easier.

The story ends beautifully: "Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him." After the test came the ministry. After the wilderness came the strengthening. God didn't abandon Jesus in his hunger—he sent angels when the battle was done.

The same is true for you. The wilderness is not forever. The testing has a purpose. And when you stand firm, when you choose faithfulness over shortcuts, God sees. He provides. He sends help.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for going into the wilderness before me. When I'm depleted and tempted, remind me of your Word. Help me trust your provision, resist the shortcuts, and stay faithful to your path. Give me strength for today's battle. In Your strong name I pray, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, memorize one verse that speaks to your current struggle. Write it on a card. Put it where you'll see it daily. When temptation comes—and it will—speak God's Word aloud just as Jesus did. The same weapon that worked in his wilderness will work in yours.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God, and you matter to me! We can and we will win the world for Jesus!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Eyewitness to Majesty

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17 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:16-21 NIV)

Of all the disciples, the original twelve that is, I have to say that I like Peter the best. Why? Because he reminds me of me. Many were the times he reacts without thinking as have I. He says what comes to his mind almost right away, and still given all his missteps and doubts, God still loved him and used him. The same is true for me. I wonder what it was like to have been him; from his call to ministry from Jesus, to making the move from fisherman to fisher of people, to announcing to his family that he had a higher calling and to all that ultimately became asked of him including the ultimate sacrifice of his life. Think of all Peter saw and experienced! The touch of Jesus on his life, especially his soul. The miracles he witnessed; Lazarus raising from the dead and others. The miraculous feeding of thousands boggles his mind; being the only man to walk on water, besides Jesus. In a movie used in the early days of the Walk to Emmaus, the twelve disciples are sitting around a table and talking among themselves and then one disciples says to Peter, "When I get home, I'm going to..." And Peter says, "We're not going home ever again! Don't you realize what we're in? We are not going home." And that was true. Their lives were never theirs again.

Among the things Peter saw that few others, if any, saw, was his being on that mountain with Jesus and James, and John. And of course, cameo appearances by Moses and Elijah. The transfiguration wasn't religious theater or spiritual hallucination. Peter, James, and John stood on that mountain and watched Jesus' appearance change before their eyes. They saw his face shine, his clothes become dazzling white. They heard the voice of God the Father break through the clouds: "This is my Son, my Beloved."

Peter calls it being "eyewitnesses of his majesty." He's using legal language—the testimony of those who saw with their own eyes what actually happened. The Christian faith isn't built on wishful thinking or clever philosophy. It's grounded in real events witnessed by real people in real history.

But notice where Peter goes next. He doesn't say, "So trust our experience above everything else." Instead, he says the transfiguration made "the prophetic message more fully confirmed." The mountain experience didn't replace Scripture—it validated Scripture. The glory Peter witnessed pointed him back to the Word.

This is crucial. Experiences fade. Memories dim. Even the most spectacular spiritual moments eventually become history. But "we have the prophetic message," Peter says, "as something completely reliable." The Word of God remains when feelings pass, when mountaintops become distant memories, when eyewitnesses die.

Peter describes Scripture as "a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." We're living in the in-between time—after the resurrection but before Christ's return. The world is still dark. We need light to navigate. That light is God's Word, confirmed by prophets, validated by the transfiguration, and illuminated by the Holy Spirit.

The same Spirit who spoke through the prophets, the same Father who declared Jesus his Beloved Son, the same Christ who was transfigured in glory—this God speaks to us through Scripture. Not as ancient literature to dissect, but as living truth to obey. Not as human invention, but as divine revelation.

On Transfiguration Sunday, we remember that our faith rests on both: the testimony of eyewitnesses and the certainty of Scripture. Peter saw the glory and heard the voice. But he directs us to something even more reliable—the Word that endures, the lamp that keeps shining, the prophetic message that guides us until Christ returns.

We weren't on the mountain with Peter. We didn't see Jesus transfigured. But we have what Peter had: the Word of God, inspired by the Spirit, testifying to the majesty of Christ. And that, Peter insists, is enough. More than enough.

Pay attention to Scripture. It's not mythology. It's not human cleverness. It's the lamp lighting your path through the darkness until the morning star rises.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for eyewitnesses who saw Your glory and for the prophetic Word that confirms Your truth. Give us faith to trust Scripture as Your reliable lamp until Christ returns.This we pray in Christ Jesus' name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, read Scripture not as an academic exercise but as God's living Word to you. Ask the Spirit to illuminate one passage and show you how to live it out.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me. Be the only sermon someone needs today.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Retreat, then Advance!

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1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” (Matthew 17:1-9 NIV)

Dear Friend, as we pray today, please lift up Mrs. Donna Hisey, who is undergoing her back surgery today, Monday, 2/9/26 at Seton Hospital in Austin. Pray for a successful surgery and for a rapid and pain free recovery. Also, prayers for Suzanne Zaitz. She has been battling pneumonia. Please pray for complete healing and a speedy recovery. Pray for one another; pray for our nation.

As a child that grew up on TV Westerns, the idea of a retreat was usually seen as a sign of defeat, much like "Circle the wagons." which meant let's await our death. Even a revered mentor asked, "When will the Church stop retreating and attack?" I knew exactly what he meant. My ideas changed when I attended my first Walk to Emmaus. It was a retreat unlike any other and such I did not want to leave the mountain when it was over. Okay it was technically a hill since the retreat was in the Texas Hill Country. And I came back determined that we needed to have the Walk to Emmaus in español. It was a very hard sell. The first brave soul was a man in my church, Mr. H. Paul Adams, who said yes. As I dropped him off to his Walk he was caught calling his son-in-law to come and pick him up. He was overheard saying, "I don't know where I am, nor could I tell you how we came." He was taken back to his table where he got into it. And he helped sell the event to others. A good friend and mentor, whom I had asked to study under during my internship year in seminary turned me and others down for nineteen years! You read that right; 19 years before he finally said yes. And he went to a walk in Boerne during a Super Bowl weekend and he blessed our household watching that SB with us.

Jesus holds His own retreat on a high mountain. The only invited pilgrims were Peter, James, and John. This was the inner circle or cabinet as it were, of the Lord Jesus. Jesus had a purpose behind this retreat. Peter became the one who did not want to come down off that mountain because his eyes saw what no one else had ever or since seen. In that retreat time, There before his mortal eyes were the figures of Moses and Elijah; two central heroes of the Old Testament. Moses, as the giver of the law, and Elijah, the great prophet whose life represented a bridge between God's past revelation and God's future renewal. In fact, the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi spoke in 4:4-6 of the importance of each and how God would send them before the renewal that God spoke. Add to this scene the voice of God announcing, "This is my Son, Whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!" Boom! Peter says he'd rather set up camp with tents or shelters for Jesus, Moses and Elijah; he realized it was good that they were there. Jesus had other plans. This vision of glory was to prepare them for the coming sufferings of Jesus. This was a worship even meant to commission and preparation for the hard work ahead. We need our mountaintop moments—those worship services that move us to tears, those prayer retreats where God feels near, those experiences of God's presence that mark our souls. But we can't live there. The world that needs Christ is down in the valley: sick people who need healing, broken relationships that need reconciliation, hungry neighbors who need bread, lost souls who need hope.

The disciples came down that mountain different. They had seen something that would anchor them through confusion, persecution, and doubt. They had heard the Father's voice: "This is my Son... Listen to him!" That certainty would carry them when everything else fell apart.

Transfiguration Sunday sits on the edge of Lent. We're about to walk with Jesus toward Jerusalem, toward suffering, toward the cross. We need this glimpse of glory to remember who Jesus really is when the road gets dark. We need to hear the Father's voice before we enter the wilderness.

But we also need to remember: the point of seeing Jesus transfigured is so we can be transformed. The glory isn't for our comfort—it's for our commissioning. We come down the mountain with a clearer vision of Christ, ready to listen to him, ready to follow him, ready to reflect his light in a world that desperately needs it.

Don't try to build shelters on the mountain. Let the glory change you, then bring you back down to the people who need what you've seen.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for moments when you reveal your glory. Give us eyes to see you clearly and courage to follow you faithfully—not just on the mountain, but down in the valley where your people need us. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Reflect on a time you experienced God's presence powerfully. How is God calling you to let that experience fuel your service to others this week?

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me! Make your life count!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Power & Light Company?

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13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. 17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:13-20 NRSV)

When Nellie and I went to the Holy Land, one of the things we were required to buy was a headlamp. We were supposed to go into the Hezekiah Tunnel and there is no light in there so the headlamps were required to keep us safe. Unfortunately, heavy rains prior to our arrival kept us out of the tunnel and we came home with unused headlamps. However, I have delightfully discovered that at my age, these babies are pretty for for men and women of a certain age. I've come to believe these should be required by law to anyone over 62 who does anything useful around the house. The brightness of the lamp conquers the things darkness hides!

I also once tried to make carne guisada prior to a trip we were taking with our youth group, believing that carne guisada tacos would be a hit among the youth. So chef here cuts the meat, adds the spices that I knew would give the carne a good taste and let it simmer. When I believed it was done I tasted it and it was the worst thing I had ever made. I had forgotten the salt!

Jesus speaks on two important things in life to better illustrate the importance and role of believers in the kingdom. But here's what's remarkable about today's passage: Jesus doesn't just say He is the light of the world (though He is). He says you are the light of the world. He takes the very identity that belongs to Him and gives it to us—His followers, His church, His disciples.

Salt preserves and flavors. In the ancient world, salt prevented decay and made food worth eating.Carne guisada without salt is no bueno. We are called to preserve what is good, to bring out the flavor of life, to make a difference in a decaying world. But Jesus warns: if salt loses its saltiness, it's worthless. A Christian who doesn't impact the world around them has lost their purpose.

Light reveals and guides. Light exposes what's hidden in darkness. It shows the way forward. It cannot be hidden—a city on a hill is visible for miles. We are meant to shine, to illuminate truth, to guide others toward God. But Jesus warns: don't hide your light under a bowl. Don't keep your faith private and invisible. When we live out these things we are the Power and LIght in company with those who are not yet salt and light themselves.

This isn't about being perfect or preachy. It's about living authentically as Christ's followers so that when people see our lives—our love, our integrity, our service, our joy even in suffering, our hope in the midst of chaos—they ask, "What makes you different?" And the answer points them to Jesus.

Notice what Jesus says: "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

This is the Methodist balance we've been learning about—faith that works through love. Our good deeds aren't to earn salvation or draw attention to ourselves. They're to point others to God. They're visible expressions of the invisible grace we've received.

When you:

Love someone difficult to love

Serve without expecting anything in return

Show kindness to a stranger

Stand for justice when it's costly

Forgive when you've been deeply hurt

Live with integrity when no one's watching

Give generously to those in need

Speak truth with grace

You're letting your light shine. And people notice. Not because you're trying to impress them, but because the light of Christ in you can't help but shine through. Jesus goes on to say He didn't come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. He calls His followers to a righteousness that surpasses the external rule-keeping of the Pharisees. He's talking about heart transformation, not just behavior modification.

The light we shine isn't self-generated moralism. It's the reflected light of Christ living in us. We love because He first loved us. We serve because He served us. We give because He gave everything for us. We shine because He is the Light, and He lives in us.

The question for you today is simple: Is your light shining, or is it hidden?

Are people around you experiencing the saltiness of your faith—the preserving, flavoring, transforming presence of Christ in you?

Epiphany reminds us that Christ was revealed to the world. Now He wants to be revealed through you. Not to make you famous, but to make Him known. Not to build your reputation, but to bring glory to your Father in heaven.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the world, and You have called me to shine Your light in the darkness. Forgive me for the times I've hidden my faith, played it safe, and kept my lamp under a bowl. Help me live so authentically, love so genuinely, and serve so sacrificially that people see You in me. Let my good deeds point others to You. Make me salt that preserves and flavors this world. Make me light that cannot be hidden. Shine through me today. In Your name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Today, do one visible act of kindness or service that will make someone ask, "Why did you do that?" When they ask, let your light shine—give God the glory.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me. Be the Power and Light in the company of others!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

How Is It With Your Soul?

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They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42 NRSV)

Dr. Robert Tuttle is an awesome man; noted professor and author and firm believer in Christ Jesus. He served on the faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary on their Orlando, Florida campus. I had the pleasure of knowing him when I served on their board of directors and so once a year I had the chance to visit him and get to know him better. Nellie also befriended him and he handed her a copy of his outline and rough draft of one of his books set to be published. What an honor! Sadly, now he's battling advanced Alzheimer's and requires 24/7 care. His son, Eric started a GoFundMe to help offset medical expenses for his treatment. But one of Dr. Tuttle's favorite questions was to ask everyone, "How is it with you soul?" I caught on and the next time we met I beat him to it, and he did a sudden move back and grabbed his chin and looked up and then said, "That a good question. Such a good question. Thank you for asking me that.." and proceeded to tell me how it was with his soul. That question came straight from the man himself, The Rev. John Wesley, founder of Methodism.

John Wesley lived in a time of extremes. On one side were those who emphasized works-based religion—following rules, performing rituals, doing good deeds to earn God's favor. This is legalism: the belief that our works save us, that we can earn our way to Heaven through righteous living. It is still around and going stronger than ever, dear friends!

On the other side were those who said that since we're saved by grace through faith alone, our works don't matter at all. If salvation is a gift, they argued, then how we live makes no difference. This is antinomianism: faith without works, belief without behavior, grace without transformation. And? Venture a guess as to what has happened to this side? Yes, you're right; still around and still as strong as in Wesley's day.

But guess what? Wesley rejected both extremes. He called the Methodist way "faith that works by love." It's a beautiful balance that honors both Scripture and experience:

We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone—our works cannot earn salvation But true faith always produces works of love—genuine faith transforms how we live We work not to be saved, but because we are saved—love compels us to serve. Wesley understood something profound: the kind of faith that saves is the kind of faith that changes us. It's not a dead, intellectual agreement with doctrine. It's a living, breathing, active trust in Christ that transforms our hearts and our hands.

Think of it this way: If someone says they love you but never shows it—never spends time with you, never helps when you're in need, never sacrifices for you—would you believe their words? Love isn't just words; it's action. Love does.

The same is true of faith. Faith isn't just mental assent to theological propositions. Faith is a living relationship with Christ that produces the fruit of love in our lives. As Wesley said, we are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone—it's always accompanied by love and good works.

Wesley warned against falling into either ditch on the road to Heaven:

Ditch #1: Works Without Faith (Legalism) This is the exhausting treadmill of trying to earn God's approval through religious performance. It's checking off boxes, following rules, doing good deeds to rack up points with God. It leads to:

Pride when we succeed ("Look how good I am!")

Despair when we fail ("I'll never be good enough")

Comparison with others ("At least I'm better than them")

Missing the joy of relationship with God

The problem? We're trusting in ourselves instead of Christ. We're trying to be our own savior. And it never works because we can never be good enough on our own.

Ditch #2: Faith Without Works (Antinomianism) This is the lazy assumption that because we're saved by grace, how we live doesn't matter. "I've said the sinner's prayer, so I'm going to Heaven no matter what I do." It leads to:

Spiritual complacency ("I'm fine just as I am")

Unchanged lives that don't reflect Christ

No growth in holiness or love

A mockery of the grace that saved us

The problem? This isn't the faith the Bible talks about. True faith transforms us. If there's no change, no fruit, no works of love, then James asks the hard question: "Can such faith save?" His answer is clear: No, because it's not real faith—it's dead faith, empty profession without genuine trust.

Wesley's path walks right down the middle of the road:

We are saved by grace through faith in Christ—this is our foundation. We contribute nothing to our salvation. Christ did it all. We simply receive the gift by faith. True faith produces transformation—the Holy Spirit comes to live in us, changing our desires, renewing our minds, empowering us to live differently. We're not just forgiven; we're being made new.

Love compels us to serve—out of gratitude for what Christ has done, out of love for God and neighbor, we joyfully serve. Not to earn anything, but to express everything we've already received.

Works are the evidence of genuine faith—they don't save us, but they show that we're saved. They're the fruit that proves the tree is alive and healthy.

As Wesley famously said: "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." Not to earn salvation, but because we're saved. Not out of obligation, but out of love.

This is why Methodists have always emphasized both personal piety and social holiness. We study Scripture and pray—not to earn favor, but to deepen relationship. We serve the poor, visit the sick, fight for justice—not to rack up points, but because love demands action. We pursue holiness—not to become acceptable to God, but because we're already accepted and being transformed.

Our faith is alive because it works through love. It prays and it serves. It worships and it works. It believes and it acts. It receives grace and it gives grace away.

So examine your own heart today:

Are you trying to earn God's love through works? Rest in grace. You're already loved, already accepted, already saved through faith in Christ.

Are you claiming faith but living unchanged? Let that faith come alive. Let the love of Christ compel you to serve. Let the grace you've received overflow into works of love.

The Methodist way is neither legalism nor license—it's faith that works by love. It's receiving God's grace with empty hands, then using those same hands to serve others. It's trusting in Christ alone for salvation, then living a life that reflects His love to the world.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You that I am saved by grace through faith alone—never by my works, always by Your finished work on the cross. But thank You also that true faith transforms me, that Your love compels me to serve, that Your Spirit empowers me to live differently. Save me from both the pride of legalism and the laziness of empty faith. Give me a living, active, working faith—faith that loves, faith that serves, faith that changes the world because it has first changed me. In Your name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, put your faith into action. Choose one specific act of love—visit someone lonely, serve at a food bank, help a neighbor in need, give generously to someone struggling. Do it not to earn God's favor, but to express the love you've already received.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me! Part of your purpose is to reach others.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Salvation by Grace Alone

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8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 NRSV)

Dear Friend, as we pray today, please pray for the family of Mrs. Bekie Blanco Abrio, a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, daughter of a Methodist pastor and mother and sister to many other Methodist pastors. She died unexpectedly on Tuesday. The Rev. Bequi Flores is her daughter and Bequi is the pastor of Karnes City and a Presiding Elder as well. Prayers of comfort for the Abrio and Blanco famililes. Bekie's husband died not too many years ago. Also, prayers for this old man as I preach on February 8, 2026 at the Pilgrim Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m. Pray the Lord give me a word or two to share with this faithful community.

I knew of a young lady at a Methodist university working towards her undergraduate degree in hopes of becoming a nun in the Catholic Church. She was an active high school student in her local Catholic church and sent often after school to help clean the church and prepare the church for worship. One afternoon while at the church her priest grabbed her and kissed her. She immediately placed the blame on herself and all the weight of that "sin." She believed deeply that the only way God could forgive her was for her to become a nun and serve God the rest of her life in that way. Works is that belief that says one must prove oneself worthy by outward deeds and actions that show God and others of their genuine desire to serve God in that way. Upon death it is believed they will be found worthy and allowed into Heaven.

My heart breaks for that young woman. She carried a burden that was never hers to carry. She believed a lie that has imprisoned countless souls throughout history: that we must earn God's forgiveness, that we must prove ourselves worthy, that our salvation depends on our performance.

But here's the liberating truth that sits at the very foundation of Methodist theology and all of Christian faith: Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

You cannot earn it. You cannot buy it. You cannot work for it. You cannot deserve it.

It is a gift.

Grace is God's unmerited favor—love and forgiveness freely given to those who don't deserve it and could never earn it. It's God reaching down to us when we could never reach up to Him. It's God saying, "I love you, not because of what you've done, but because of who I am."

That young woman believed she had to become a nun to pay for a sin that wasn't even hers. She thought years of service, sacrifice, and dedication would somehow balance the scales and make her acceptable to God. But grace doesn't work that way.

Grace says: You are already accepted. You are already loved. You are already forgiven—if you will simply receive it.

When we try to earn our salvation through works, several destructive things happen:

We never know if we've done enough. How many good deeds balance out one sin? How many years of service erase one mistake? The answer is: it's impossible. We can never do enough, be enough, or give enough to earn Heaven. We carry unbearable burdens. Like that young woman carrying guilt and shame for something done to her, we pile weights on our shoulders that were never meant to be carried. We exhaust ourselves trying to prove our worth. We miss the point entirely. Salvation isn't about our strength—it's about God's grace. It's not about our goodness—it's about Christ's righteousness. It's not about our performance—it's about God's love. We rob God of glory. If we could earn our salvation, we could boast about it. We could take credit. But Paul says clearly: salvation is "not the result of works, so that no one may boast." God alone gets the glory for our salvation because God alone accomplished it. Here's what we must understand: Jesus already did the work. On the cross, He paid the price for every sin—past, present, and future. He took the punishment we deserved. He bridged the gap between holy God and sinful humanity. He opened the way to Heaven.

And then He rose from the dead, proving that His sacrifice was sufficient, that sin and death were defeated, that salvation was complete.

When Jesus said "It is finished" on the cross, He meant it. The work of salvation was done. Completely. Fully. Forever.

We don't add to it. We can't add to it. We simply receive it by faith.

Now, let me be clear about something important: the Methodist understanding of salvation by grace does not eliminate the importance of good works. John Wesley was emphatic about this. But here's the critical distinction:

We are saved by grace through faith, not by works But we are saved for good works, as expressions of our gratitude and love Works don't earn our salvation; they are the fruit of our salvation We don't serve God to become His children; we serve God because we are His children It's like this: a tree doesn't produce fruit to become a tree—it produces fruit because it is a tree. In the same way, we don't do good works to become saved—we do good works because we are saved, because grace has transformed us, because love compels us to serve.

When that young woman finally understood grace—that she didn't have to earn God's forgiveness, that she was already loved, already accepted, already forgiven through Christ—it set her free. Not free to sin, but free to serve God out of love rather than fear, out of gratitude rather than guilt, out of joy rather than obligation.

That's what grace does. It liberates us from the impossible burden of trying to be good enough for God. It frees us to rest in what Christ has already done. And from that place of rest and security, we joyfully serve, not to earn salvation, but because we've already received it.

Your Invitation Today

Maybe you've been trying to earn God's love. Maybe you're exhausted from trying to be good enough. Maybe you're carrying guilt and shame, believing you have to somehow pay for your sins through years of service or sacrifice.

Hear this good news today: You can't earn it, and you don't have to.

Jesus already paid it all. The gift of salvation is yours—not because you deserve it, but because God loves you. Not because you've worked for it, but because Christ died for you. Not because you're perfect, but because His grace is sufficient.

All you have to do is receive it. Believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose again. Trust in Him, not in yourself. Accept the gift that's freely offered.

And then—from that place of grace, from that foundation of unconditional love—live a life of grateful service. Not to earn God's favor (you already have it), but to express your love for the One who first loved you.

PRAYER: Gracious Father, thank You for the gift of salvation that we could never earn and don't deserve. Forgive us for the times we've tried to prove our worth through works, for the burdens we've carried that were never ours to bear. Help us to rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Let us receive Your grace with humble gratitude, and let that grace transform us from the inside out. May ous service flow from love, not from fear; from gratitude, not from guilt; from the security of being Your beloved children, not from trying to earn Your approval. Thank You that salvation is Your gift, freely given, completely sufficient, eternally secure. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: If you've been trying to earn God's love through your efforts, stop striving and start resting. This week, write down this simple truth where you'll see it daily: "I am saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone." Let it sink deep into your heart and set you free.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me. Be a blessing to everyone!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Scriptural Holiness (Heart and Life)

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Hear devo: https://bit.ly/4t1Obex

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Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48 NIV)

My freedom to roam almost all of Kingsville on my bike or walking with friends, especially after school, allowed for some wonderful experiences and treats. One of our favorite hot Kingsville summer treats was to visit the Dr. Pepper Bottling Company plant building around three p.m. The DP bottling company was a concrete building with a huge picture window where one could see the finished product of cold Dr. Peppers and cold red soda. Our hope was to be there for red day when after peering into the window longinly, one of the employees would grab enough bottles to take them to us, and already opened! Nothing beat our drinking quite quickly the cold drink and setting it down near the door and then running or riding our way on to our next adventure. This outing taught me several things. Pursue your desire. Get to the place where that desire can be best fulfilled. Be patient. Be attentive. Wait. Enjoy. Give thanks!

My biggest treat came on that Sunday when I invited Jesus into my heart. That was only the starting point of all my life's adventures. I presented myself to the Lord for His forgiveness, I received it and I started my journey of being made perfect in love in this life, also known as sanctification. Sanctification is a fancy word for the daily journey we take with Jesus in hopes of being made more perfect in love because Jesus walks with us. It does not mean I am flawless; it means I have been accepted and I am in the process of being transformed in my character and conduct. It means that every moment I spend in reading God's word, I am being blessed in wonderful and amazing ways!

One of Methodism's values is scriptural holiness. That means our time spent in study of God's word blesses us with the direction we should take towards getting to where God wants us to be. Just as those childhood trips to the Dr. Pepper plant required pursuit, patience, and attentiveness, so does our journey toward holiness. We had to show up at the right place, at the right time, with expectant hearts. We had to peer through the window, longing for what was on the other side. And when that gift was given—cold, refreshing, freely offered—we received it with joy and gratitude.

Scriptural holiness works the same way. We must pursue it intentionally. We must position ourselves where God can meet us—in His Word, in prayer, in worship, in community. We must peer into Scripture with longing hearts, waiting for God to open the treasures within. And when He does—when His truth refreshes our souls like that cold drink on a hot Texas day—we receive it, we give thanks, and we move forward transformed.

When Jesus says, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect," He's not setting an impossible standard that crushes us under the weight of our failures. He's inviting us into a process—sanctification—where we are continually being made more like Him in love.

This is the beauty of Methodism's emphasis on scriptural holiness. It's not about being flawless; it's about being faithful. It's not about never making mistakes; it's about allowing God's Word to transform our hearts and lives day by day. It's about:

Heart transformation: Letting God's love drive out fear, bitterness, and selfishness Life transformation: Allowing Scripture to guide our choices, our words, our relationships Continual growth: Understanding that sanctification is a journey, not a destination we reach in this life Every time we open the Bible, we peer through that window into God's perfect love. Every time we apply its truth, we drink deeply of the refreshment it offers. Every time we allow it to convict, correct, and guide us, we are being made more perfect in love.

Scriptural holiness means we don't just read the Bible when we're in trouble or when we need an inspirational quote. We pursue it like those kids pursued their favorite treat—with intentionality, with expectation, with joy. We show up daily at the place where God can meet us. We position ourselves before His Word with humble, hungry hearts.

And here's the beautiful truth: God always shows up. He always opens the door. He always offers the gift. His Word never returns void. Every time we engage with Scripture, the Holy Spirit is at work, transforming us from the inside out, making us more like Jesus in our character and conduct.

This is what it means to spread scriptural holiness across the land—John Wesley's mission for Methodism. Not just head knowledge of the Bible, but heart and life transformation through the Bible. Not just studying Scripture, but being shaped by Scripture. Not just knowing what God's Word says, but becoming what God's Word calls us to be.

The journey toward perfect love started the moment you invited Jesus into your heart. But it doesn't end there—it's only beginning. Every day is a new opportunity to be made more holy, more loving, more like Christ. Every encounter with Scripture is another refreshing drink on a hot day, another step forward in your transformation.

So pursue holiness with the same eagerness you once pursued childhood treats. Position yourself daily in God's Word. Be patient with the process. Be attentive to what God is teaching you. Wait expectantly for His Spirit to work. Enjoy the journey. And always, always give thanks.

PRAYER: Gracious and Holy God, thank You for accepting me just as I am, yet loving me too much to leave me this way. As I open Your Word today and every day, transform my heart and my life. Make me more perfect in love—not flawless, but faithful; not without struggle, but always growing. Give me a hunger for Scripture that drives me to pursue You daily. Shape my character, guide my conduct, and let my life reflect Your holiness. Help me to be patient with myself on this journey, knowing that You who began this good work in me will be faithful to complete it. May scriptural holiness be more than a Methodist value—may it be my daily reality. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, commit to reading one chapter of Scripture every morning before you check your phone. Let God's Word be the first voice you hear each day, shaping your heart and guiding your steps toward perfect love.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me. Present yourself as holy in a way that invites others.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Your Name Shall Be...

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Hear devo https://bit.ly/4k71czt:

View devo: https://bit.ly/3NGB0PW

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty ; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. 2 Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” 3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram ; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.(Genesis 17:1-5 NIV)

Dear Friend, what does your name mean? Is it a family name? Were you named for a relative? Are you one of the famous juniors running around? More importantly, what have you made your name to mean? My name is Eradio Valverde, Jr. I was named for my father, Eradio Valverde. Neither he nor I have a middle name. He was named by my grandma and when I asked her where the name come from, she could not remember. My grandfather said it was a Native American/Indian name, but he did not know what the name meant. I became aware that in the Valley of Texas there were a couple of Eradios. Imagine my joy when I did insurance enrolling several years ago in San Benito schools, that the SB High School choir director was named Eradio Martinez. Interesting because my grandmother's maiden name was Martinez. As a child my Dad was called Lalo by my mother's family and when I came along I became Lalito. At home by my parents and siblings I was Junior. I have even heard of some women named Eradia. And Eradio in some different forms of spelling is a popular surname in some countries. I have tried to make my name mean trustworthy, sincere, dedicated to God and God's service. Today we want to explore where the name Methodist comes from. But let's begin with name changes in the Bible, where for God's purposes, God took it upon Himself to re-name those for whom He had special jobs and interest.

In the Bible there are numerous name changes. Their given names became God-given names with important meanings behind the change. The first is the one I read. Abram who is known as the Father of the Faith, at age 99 is visited by God and God gives him a covenant promising Abram that he would have many descendants, and he would be the father of many nations and gives him a new name Abraham which means, as God says, "For I have made you a father of many nations." And as we know the rest of the story, Abraham and Sarah, whose name was also changed, were the parents of many nations with children as numerous as the stars in the heavens. Other OT name changes are Jacob to Israel because he fought against God and prevailed as found in Genesis 32:24–28. There are others in the OT; then we came to the gospels where the most famous is Simon to Peter, and Saul to Paul.

We come to John and Charles Wesley. The two were Oxford University grads and when John returned for further post-graduate studies, he finds that Charles and other like-minded students had formed a club to express their faith as Christians. The first name they gave themselves was The Holy Club. They had also established a daily routine of study and service. As this routine became known among fellow students, they came up with their own names. The Holy Club always got an early start on the day, usually 4 or 5 am. Upon awakening the first hour was dedicated to prayer. A solid hour on their knees in earnest prayer. The second hour up was spent in reading the Bible, and the New Testament in Greek. Another solid hour of soul-searching and God-seeking Bible study. The third hour the club would meet together for more prayer, Bible study and singing. Then the group would make their way to breakfast, they would attend classes for their academic pursuits, then lunch together though on Wednesdays and Fridays they would fast. After lunch or after afternoon classes they would devote themselves to holy service or Acts of Mercy; they would visit prisoners in Oxford jails; they would visit the sick, both in hospitals and at homes; they would teach poor children, they would feed and cloth the poor; and other acts of mercy that were based on Jesus' teachings in Matthew 25. They would celebrate Communion often and seek to perfect their lives in God's service.

And here came the names from the other students: "Bible Moths"; for the Holy Club members carried their Bibles everywhere and were known to spend much time in Bible study. They were also called "Holy Rollers", for the "enthusiasm" was also well known. "The Godly Club" meant to ridicule their devotion to God in a mean way. "Enthusiasts" meant to mock their excitement and joy in all things God. “Supererogation Men” to mock their acts of service as a means of earning their salvation. “Sacramentarians” because they took Communion often, while the Anglican Church only a few times a year. Finally, one guy yelled to John Wesley that they were a bunch of "Methodists!" And guess what? Wesley said that he liked that name and adopted it as their official name. Are you, if you call yourself a "Methodist" guilty of halfway or full-way imitating the originals?

The name "Methodist" wasn't chosen by Wesley—it was given by God through the mockery of others. And it stuck because it was true. They WERE methodical. They WERE disciplined. They WERE serious about their faith.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to live worthy of the name I bear—both my given name and the name "Christian" or "Methodist." Give me the discipline of the early Holy Club, the devotion of Abraham, and the faithfulness of Peter. May my life make my name mean something beautiful for Your kingdom. And this I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: (And this is a long one!). Don't just read this and move on. Take these concrete steps starting TODAY:

1)Tomorrow morning, set your alarm 30 minutes earlier. Spend that first half-hour in prayer before you check your phone, before coffee, before anything else. Give God your first and best, not your leftovers. Open your Bible every day this week. Not just a verse on social media—actually open it. Read one chapter from the Gospels daily. Let God speak to you through His Word.

2)Find your "Holy Club." Text or call two fellow believers this week and ask them to meet regularly for prayer, study, and accountability. Don't go it alone.

3)Perform one act of mercy this week. Visit someone who's sick or lonely. Volunteer at a food bank. Tutor a struggling student. Give generously to someone in need. Do something tangible for "the least of these."

4)Fast one meal this week. Use that time to pray instead of eat. Let your hunger remind you of your deeper hunger for God.

5)Write down what you want your name to mean. Put it where you'll see it every day. Let it convict you, challenge you, inspire you.

This isn't about legalism or earning God's love—that's already yours through Christ. This is about responding to that love with wholehearted devotion. This is about making your faith intentional, methodical, transformative.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me! The early Methodists changed the world because they let God change them first.Now go. Live it. Be the Methodist—the Christian—the disciple—you were called to be.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

The World is My Parish

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Hear devo: https://bit.ly/4bQIQjR

View devo:https://bit.ly/4kbqhZV

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)

In June 1742, The Reverend John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, returned to his hometown of Epworth, and offered to assist the curate of the church there, the same church where his ather, The Rev. Samuel Wesley, had been the rector for many years. The then curate refused to allow Wesley to preach or offer prayers and then preached a sermon agains the "enthusiasm" found in some corners of the Anglican Church, which Welsey knew was directed to him and his followers who showed more enthusiasm than the regular Anglicans. A number of out-of-town guests really wanted to hear Wesley preach, so he went outside and on his father's tomb, which was private property owned by the Wesleys and thus could not prevent him from preaching there, he proceeded to preach there. John Wesley preached more than once on that tombstone and it is believed he preached there at least three additional nights there.

John Wesley underwent a transformation called his Aldersgate Experience. He had struggled with doubt and felt he was without faith. One of his friends, Moravian leader Peter Bohler told him, "Preach fiath till you have it; and then, because you have it, you will preach faith." That event, that many have called a maturity into faith, occurred in London at a place called Aldersgate on May 24, 1738, as he wrote, ""In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death." It was from this point on that many considered his preaching and leadership too enthusiatic. For those of us who consider the Wesleyan heriage our own and the Methodist way our way; ours is a global view of winning the world for Jesus.

When church doors closed to Wesley, he found his pulpit in the open air. When proper religion rejected his passion, he took the gospel to coal miners, factory workers, and common people who had never darkened a church door. Critics called it unseemly. Wesley called it obedience.

In 1739, when accused of irregularity for preaching outside his assigned parish boundaries, Wesley wrote in his journal words that would define his ministry: "I look upon all the world as my parish." He explained that wherever he was, he considered it both his right and duty to declare the glad tidings of salvation to all who would hear.

This wasn't arrogance. It was the heartbeat of the Great Commission lived out. Jesus had commanded His followers to make disciples of all nations, not just the respectable ones, not just those who fit comfortably within established church walls. Wesley understood that a heart strangely warmed by grace cannot be contained by convention or geography.

Wesley traveled an estimated 250,000 miles on horseback, preaching over 40,000 sermons in his lifetime. He rose at 4 a.m. for prayer and study, organized his followers into small accountability groups called "classes" and "bands," established schools, orphanages, and medical dispensaries. He trained lay preachers when ordained clergy wouldn't go where the people were. He published books and pamphlets to spread scriptural holiness across the land.

The world became his parish because God's love knows no boundaries. The Great Commission doesn't respect our comfort zones, our preferences for propriety, or our carefully drawn parish lines. It sends us out—to the margins, to the overlooked, to those the religious establishment has written off as too poor, too sinful, too common to matter.

Today, the United Methodist Church and other Wesleyan traditions span the globe, with millions of members across every continent. What began with one man's strangely warmed heart and his willingness to preach on his father's tombstone has become a worldwide movement. But the work isn't finished.

The world is still our parish. There are still people outside the walls who need to hear that they matter to God, that grace is available to them, that transformation is possible. There are still coal miners and factory workers, still marginalized and overlooked souls, still hearts waiting to be strangely warmed.

The question isn't whether we have permission from every religious authority. The question is whether we have received our commission from the ultimate Authority—the One who said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me... therefore go."

Wesley didn't wait for ideal circumstances. He preached faith until he had it, and then because he had it, he preached faith everywhere. He was called enthusiastic as an insult but wore it as a badge of honor. The word "enthusiast" comes from Greek roots meaning "God within"—and what could be more appropriate for those whose hearts have been strangely warmed?

The world is still our parish. The fields are still white unto harvest. And Jesus is still with us, to the very end of the age.

PRAYER: Lord, warm our hearts as You warmed Wesley's. Give us his passion, his boldness, his willingness to go where You send us regardless of opposition or inconvenience. Help us see the world as our parish and every person as someone precious to You. Send us out with the authority of Christ and the assurance of Your presence, now and to the end of the age. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, step outside your comfortable parish boundaries. Identify one person or place where God is calling you to share His love—perhaps a coworker who seems isolated, a neighbor you've never spoken to, a part of town you typically avoid, or an online community that needs grace and truth. Then take one concrete step: have that conversation, offer that help, show up in that place. Don't wait for permission or perfect conditions.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me. The world is your parish—go and make it count.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

A Better Way to Live!

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1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. 2 He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:1-12 NIV)

Dear Friend, I trust that this finds you well and warm! It's 32 here in Seguin and icy, so we're staying home! Please pray for those whose lives are on the streets and without the protection of a home.

In the 1980s, a book was written by Tony Campolo, a writer, preacher and professor of sociology. The book's name is Who Changed the Price Tags? It challenges readers to "change" a "messed up" value system where, metaphorically, the price tags on life's priorities have been switched. He shares a story where thieve break into a department store, not to steal items, but to switch the price tags, which creates havoc on shoppers. The emphasis is for believers to livs a life based on God's criteria rather than pursuing mundane, material goals. Another book The Upside-Down Kingdom by Donald B. Kraybill. emphasizing how Jesus’ vision of God’s kingdom reverses worldly values—power, success, wealth, and status.

In our family, Nellie and I have four daughters that love to read and they exchange and give each other books that they like. What I found interesting is that some of my girls like to go to the last chapter, read it, and then start the book. They want to know how the story ends. I applied it to this passage and went to the last verse to read how the story Jesus is sharing, ends. Here is that very: "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." This is where Jesus is leading us; to a place where we can be joyful and grateful because we know now that our reward will soon be great and in the special place, Heaven. The troubles and woes of today cannot measure to the greatest joy coming.

The Beatitudes reveal a kingdom that turns earthly values upside down. During Epiphany, when we celebrate Christ revealed to the world, these words show us just how radical that revelation truly is.

The world says: Be strong, self-sufficient, victorious. Jesus says: Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek. The world chases power and comfort. Jesus pronounces blessing on the merciful, the peacemakers, the persecuted.

This isn't positive thinking or self-help spirituality. Jesus is describing the character of those who truly belong to His kingdom—people who recognize their desperate need for God, who grieve over sin, who approach life with humility rather than aggression. These aren't just nice virtues to admire; they're the DNA of kingdom citizenship.

Notice that most of these blessings are present tense: "theirs is the kingdom of heaven." We don't wait until heaven to experience God's favor. Even in our mourning, meekness, and hunger for righteousness, we possess something the world cannot touch—the very presence and approval of God.

The Beatitudes end with persecution, a sobering reminder that living as salt and light often comes at a cost. Yet even here, Jesus calls us to rejoice. Why? Because we're in good company with the prophets, and because our reward is secure in heaven.

This Epiphany season, let Christ's revelation reshape your understanding of what it means to be blessed.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, turn our hearts toward Your kingdom values. Help us find our blessing not in earthly success but in knowing and following You. Shape us into people who embody Your upside-down kingdom. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Choose one beatitude that challenges you most and ask God to cultivate that quality in your life this week.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me! Go win the world for Jesus by showing the world the better way to live!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Seek the One Thing that Matters

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1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. 4 One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. 7 Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. 10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. 11 Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. 13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (Psalm 27 NIV)

Can I blame the eyes? Or the mind? Anyway, here we are at Friday and we should be reading Friday Faith Feeding, but you got a bonus! Two Old Testament passages because this old man saw the Micah passage and loved it, not noticing that it is for the Sunday of February 1st! So, I got a day off next week! Yay! We all win!

Fear is a good word especially for today and what we witness happening all across our nation. At the risk of sounding political, this is not God's doing what we are seeing happening to sectors of our country. Jesus would have no part in this other than to call us to repentance. His cousin John would be losing his head again because he spoke out for the moral wrongs he saw happening in the palace. He spoke out against it fearing only God and what God thought about the arrangement. Jesus continues his message about the need to repent and to draw closer to God.

If one is afraid of the dark, one avoids dark places. I for one, would hate to be the last one in a funeral home, having to turn off lights and make sure doors are locked. During my year in Denver as I had re-entered seminary at Iliff School of Theology, I yearned to worship in a Spanish-speaking church and I asked a longtime friend who officed in the seminary if there were any such churches in Denver. He said there was a Presbyterian church that sang one hymn in Spanish, and off I went that Sunday. I arrived early enough to meet the pastor who was thrilled to have a seminary student there and once worship started made a big deal of my presence and that I was from Texas. Immediately after worship a young couple came excitedly to meet me and to tell me they were Texans too, from Kerrville, and that they would love for me to join them for lunch. Free meals for seminary students is a require course and of course I said yes. They said to follow them home and so I did and soon I was parked in an abandoned gas station and immediately across the street from an old home serving as a funeral home. Gulp. I asked what we were doing here and the wife said her husband was a funeral director and they lived upstairs. The chapel had the stairs that led upstairs and there was a body in a coffin and some people there. She whispered that the dead body was "The young man who was shot 19 times downtown!" Gulp again! As we got closer to their apartment she again whispered, "My husband did a great job! Once the family leaves we'll take you downstairs so you can see the wounds!" Gulp a third time. We had a nice lunch and the husband said, "There's an apartment down the hall that's empty and you can live in it for free!" (I'm tired of gulping!). Oh really, I asked? "Yes, all you would have to do is be on call nights." Call, meaning? "You'd go to people's homes and bring back the body." Eh. I love my apartment there on campus.

In the season of Epiphany, we celebrate light breaking into darkness—the manifestation of Christ to the world. David's confident declaration in Psalm 27 resonates deeply with this theme. He doesn't merely say God gives light; he proclaims that the Lord is light itself.

When the Magi followed the star to find the infant King, they were seeking this very light—the one who would illuminate all nations. Like those wise travelers, we too can approach God's presence with confidence, not because we are worthy, but because His light has already pierced our darkness.

David understood something profound: when God is your light, fear loses its power. The threats that once loomed large—enemies, troubles, spiritual darkness—shrink in the radiance of His presence. Notice how David moves from asking "whom shall I fear?" to the even bolder "of whom shall I be afraid?" Fear doesn't just diminish; it becomes absurd.

The psalm continues with David's singular desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord, to gaze upon His beauty. This Epiphany season, we're reminded that Christ didn't just appear for a moment in history. He remains Emmanuel—God with us—inviting us to abide in His light continually.

PRAYER: Lord, You are my light and my salvation. In this Epiphany season, help me walk confidently in Your radiance, releasing every fear to You. Let my one desire be to dwell in Your presence all my days. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: identify one fear you're carrying and speak Psalm 27:1 over it. Ask God to replace that fear with confidence in His light.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me. Be light as you bless others.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

The Ideal, The Real, and The Unreal

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1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. (Isaiah 9:1-4 NIV)

Dear Friend, as we pray today let us pray for the family of Mrs. Dora Elda Peña, of Mission, Texas, who passed away a few days ago. Dora Elda was a dear, sweet lady and member of our church, El Mesias UMC during our eleven years there. She was a Sunday school teacher for all that time and she was a Communion steward who made our Communion bread every month. It was the most delicious potato bread that I had even tasted, and every month she would bring me two loaves; one for worship and the sacrament of Holy Communion, and the other was either for me or for someone I could choose to be blessed with this special bread. May God's comfort be with Tony, her husband, their daughter Elda Iris, and their son, Tony Jr., and with all who knew and loved her.

Nellie and I enjoy stories that we find online, most of them I believe are generated by AI but could be based on real life people and families, the kind one would hope would stay as a story and not a reality. Most of the stories have the dynamics of reality; self-centeredness, greed, ambition, violence, abuse, a "star" son or daughter, and an unwanted, barely-tolerated child. Those in these stories that exhibit one of more of the above, it should be said, are walking in darkness. The Light of Christ is absent from their heart and lives. And I firmly believe the Bible is filled with those same characters and helps us better understand life while calling us to change and to leave the darkness and come into the light of God.

Each teaching in the Bible will present the Ideal, what which best reflects God's virtues and attributes. It is what we aim for. The Bible will also have stories of the Real, which shows that which can and usually does take place in life. Some would call it the reality of life or that's life. I saw a short video just this morning of a woman who is now in her golden years but she was remembering the joyous day when she graduated from college as a chemical engineer. She said she never wanted to be a chemical engineer, but her father said that was the only degree he would pay for. When she finished her final exams and learned she had Aced them, she called her father and he solemnly said, "Good, I can finally write that article on how I taught a monkey how to read and write and do math." Needless to say it hit her hard and as I read the comments from those who had also seen her video and the very first one said something coldblooded about it not being a big deal and she should be glad she got her education free and that was life. The Unreal reflects those kind of remarks and situations where there is suffering and violence; indifference and apathy.

Where, my friend, are you? Are you living the ideal life? Or, suffering through the unreal wishing you were at least in the Real parrt of life? "Nevertheless." What a powerful word to begin a prophecy of hope. It acknowledges the reality of gloom, distress, and humiliation without being defined by them. It's the hinge between what has been and what will be, the breath before God speaks light into darkness.

Isaiah's prophecy was given to a people who knew darkness intimately. Zebulun and Naphtali had been humbled, trampled by invading armies, living under the shadow of oppression. Their darkness wasn't metaphorical—it was the real weight of foreign yoke on their shoulders, the rod of cruel taskmasters, the daily grind of life without freedom or hope. And yet, Isaiah dares to speak of light.

Seven centuries later, Matthew would quote this very passage when describing Jesus beginning his ministry in Galilee. The prophecy found its fulfillment not in military victory or political liberation, but in a carpenter from Nazareth who walked those same roads, teaching about the kingdom of God. The light that dawned wasn't what anyone expected—it came in weakness, in servanthood, in a cross.

Notice the transformation this light brings. It doesn't just illuminate the darkness so people can see how bad things are. It shatters yokes, breaks bars, destroys the instruments of oppression. It brings joy like a harvest celebration, like warriors dividing plunder after an impossible victory. This is Epiphany light—revealing and liberating, exposing and healing.

The deep darkness Isaiah describes is still with us. It's in the addiction that won't release its grip, the depression that colors everything gray, the injustice that grinds people down, the loneliness that echoes in crowded rooms. But the promise remains: there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. The light has dawned, and it has a name—Jesus.

PRAYER: O God of light and liberation, we come before you as people who know both darkness and the promise of dawn. Some of us are walking in shadows today—burdened by yokes we cannot shake, oppressed by circumstances we cannot control, living in the land of deep darkness. We cling to your "nevertheless," trusting that gloom does not have the final word. Thank you for sending your Son as the great light, for breaking the power of sin and death, for shattering every yoke that binds us. Increase our joy as those who have seen your salvation. Help us to live as people of the light, reflecting your radiance into the dark places of our world. Where we encounter others walking in darkness, make us bearers of hope, agents of liberation, witnesses to the light that has dawned in Christ Jesus. In his luminous name we pray. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, bring a "dakrness" you are facing into the light of Christ through prayer, conversation with a trusted friend or pastor, or by taking one concrete step toward freedom or healing. Then, look for someone else who is "walking in darkness" and find a practical way to be a bearer of light to them.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me. Be the light of Jesus in all your life!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Is Christ Divided?

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10 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. 12 What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. 18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:10-18 NRSV)

I got my sense of humor from my Dad. Dad was always telling jokes or pulling pranks. His favorite was after getting a haircut was to go up to the secretary at his plant and ask if she liked his haircut. She would always say yes, and he would say, "Five dollars at Petco!" His favorite time of year when working was the summer when he would get interns to work with him. These interns were Aggies and Longhorns home from college; Daddy was usually an upper management type, and junior would work with blue collar folks like my Dad, who was a spray painter of the oil exploration trucks his company made. He would usually ask the intern to go and get things for him from the dispatcher, who was used to my Dad's humor. "Go and get me three sky hooks and sixty gallons of steam!" Yes, sir! Off they'd go only to get laughed at and come back a bit peeved that they fell for his humor. "There are no sky hooks, nor do we hand out gallons of steam."

We Mexicans have a great joke that helps set the stage for today's passage. A driver along a lonely road sees a hitchhiker and debates in her mind whether to pick up or ignore. Judging the coming weather and the loneliness of the road decides the Christian thing to do is to pick up the guy. The rider explains where he's headed and she says that's the place where she's going. She's busy driving and so the hitchhiker wonders what they should talk about, and then begins a litany of question that could come up. "Should I ask her if she's a Cowboys fan or not? If she says she is, out he will go! So, no, I can't ask that question. Should I ask if she likes soccer or not? If she says she does not, then out he goes! and feels bad because he can't think of a thing to start a conversation or not, and as he sighs, he says, ¡Pues sí". And the driver yells, "¡Pues nó! Get out of my car!" (Pues is well and si is yes; and no is no. Okay you had to have been there.)

The number one cause of division in a church; any church, is people. Jesus said, "Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there I will be also." The key is that many times the two or three forget to invite or speak the name of Jesus and so the pues sí and pues nó moments come. The church in Corinth was no exception. Many churches even today will automatically divide into this group and that group. I've shared how when I went to a Leadership conference at a mega church in the United Methodist denomination and the first thought I had as I walked into this incredible sanctuary, "It must be nice to have such a nice sized church and I bet all the people here love him!" It seemed to reason that a church of that size was because of overwhelming harmony and joy. And the first thing he said as he began the conference was to say, "Many of you think that being pastor of this church is a breeze because you think everyone who comes loves me. Well, let me tell you that these front seats are filled with my detractors every time we gather, and they take notes to have something to criticize me and my sermons. And my prayer as I walk from my seat to the pulpit is to pray, 'Lord, give me a heart to love them.'" Gulp. And what does Paul say? "For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sister." What? Chloe has "people." Who report to him? So, the only letters being written on those days; letters complaining to the district superintendent!? And what were they arguing about? Who baptized who? And even Paul gets pulled in to this debate! And he says, "I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius," and he remembers another family and wonders if he baptized anyone beyond that. And he seeks to quell the argument by saying his calling was not to baptize but to preach the gospel, and even that, "not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Paul cuts through their tribalism with a piercing question: "Has Christ been divided?" The answer, of course, is no. Christ cannot be carved up into competing franchises. Yet we keep trying, don't we? We divide over worship styles and theological emphases, over personalities and programs. We forget that our unity isn't found in agreeing on every detail, but in centering ourselves on the one who was crucified for us all.

Notice what Paul says he was sent to do: proclaim the gospel, "not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power." There's a subtle warning here about our tendency to make Christianity about something other than Christ himself. We're tempted to make it about eloquent preaching, sophisticated arguments, charismatic leaders, or tribal identity. But the moment we do, we empty the cross of its power.

The Epiphany reveals Christ as light to all nations—not light to our particular group, our denomination, our theological tribe. When we rally around human leaders instead of the crucified Lord, when we emphasize our differences more than our shared center, we dim the light that's meant to draw the whole world to God.

The foolishness of the cross is this: the God of the universe chose weakness over power, humility over prestige, sacrificial love over self-promotion. And he calls us to embody that same foolishness in how we relate to one another.

PRAYER: Gracious and loving God, forgive us for the ways we have divided what you intended to unite. We confess that we have too often elevated human leaders, preferred styles, and comfortable tribes above the scandal of the cross. We have emptied your gospel of its power by dressing it up in eloquent wisdom and partisan loyalties. Remake us into one body, united not by uniformity but by our shared devotion to Christ crucified and risen. Teach us to see past our differences to the deeper unity we share in you. May our love for one another be so compelling that the world sees in us a reflection of your reconciling grace. Strip away our pride, soften our hardened positions, and draw us back to the foolish, powerful, world-changing message of the cross. In the name of Jesus, our one Lord and Savior. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, intentionally reach across a dividing line within the body of Christ. If you tend toward one style of worship or theological emphasis, seek out a conversation with someone whose approach differs from yours. Listen with genuine curiosity rather than defensiveness. Ask yourself: Am I more passionate about defending my position or about revealing Christ?

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me! Bless the world with you in a positive way!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.